With on-course expectations diminishing for Tiger Woods on the PGA Championship, focus has switched to his “private” position in discussions with the Saudi Public Funding Fund.
However even the GOAT conceded that he couldn’t make a deal occur quick sufficient for the disenfranchising speak round golf’s future to go away.
It’s been 5 months because the unique December 31 deadline for the “framework settlement” signed by the PGA Tour and PIF, the backers of LIV Golf, to probably convey warring factions to peace, was prolonged indefinitely.
Not solely has there been no formal settlement reached, there have additionally been indications any deal might be a great distance off, with Jimmy Dunne, who was essential to the key coming collectively of the 2 factions, strolling away from his position within the potential unification.
As gamers, together with LIV star Jon Rahm and PGA Tour stalwart Rory McIlroy, proceed to name for a transfer in the direction of a world tour as the way forward for the sport, and others bemoan the draining influence the saga has had on golf followers, Woods used a media name on the PGA in Louisville to attempt to paint a rosier image.
Woods, who met with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan earlier this 12 months and now has a everlasting position on the PGA Tour coverage board, stated he was “personally concerned within the course of” that was “fluid” and “adjustments day-to-day”, which isn’t a ringing endorsement for progress.
“We’re engaged on negotiations with PIF. It’s ongoing; it’s fluid; it adjustments day-to-day,” he stated.
“Has there been progress? Sure, but it surely’s an ongoing negotiation, so a number of work forward for all of us with this course of. We’re making steps and it will not be large steps, however we’re making steps.”
Woods has by no means been an over-sharer relating to data and maintained that stance amid extra questioning about that lack of perceived progress.
“I’m not going to touch upon our negotiations besides that we’re making steps. That’s all I can say,” he stated.
However he did chew when questioned concerning the ongoing influence of the drawn-out course of, the fixed political speak, on followers drained by the dearth of concentrate on the golf.
“I believe the followers are most likely as drained as we’re of the speak of not being concerning the sport of golf and about not being concerning the gamers,” he stated.
“It’s about what LIV is doing, what we’re doing, gamers coming again, gamers leaving, the followers simply wish to see us play collectively. How will we get there may be to be decided.”
The 15-time main champion didn’t, nonetheless, wish to speak concerning the “injury” being executed to the sport, conceding solely there was a “lengthy option to go nonetheless”.
